Das Artemis - Programm der NASA. Die Rückkehr zum Mond.

Neues von der Artemis 1 - Mission:

Wed, 13 Sep 2023 15:54:09 +0000

Artemis

Engineers and technicians from Aerojet Rocketdyne and Boeing at NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans have installed the first of four RS-25 engines to the core stage for NASA’s Space Launch System rocket that will help power the first crewed Artemis mission to the Moon. The yellow core stage is seen in a horizontal position in the final assembly area at Michoud. One RS-25 engine, engine number E2059, has been installed in the top left corner at the base of the 212-foot-tall core stage. Photo credit: NASA

Technicians at NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans have installed the first of four RS-25 engines on the core stage of the agency’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket that will help power NASA’s first crewed Artemis mission to the Moon. During Artemis II, NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen will launch on SLS and journey around the Moon inside the Orion spacecraft during an approximately 10-day mission in preparation for future lunar missions.

The Sept. 11 engine installation follows the joining of all five major structures that make up the SLS core stage earlier this spring. NASA, lead RS-25 engines contractor Aerojet Rocketdyne, an L3 Harris Technologies company, and Boeing, the core stage lead contractor, will continue integrating the remaining three engines into the stage and installing the propulsion and electrical systems within the structure.

All four RS-25 engines are located at the base of the core stage within the engine section, which protects the engines from the extreme temperatures during launch and has an aerodynamic boat tail fairing to channel airflow. During launch and flight, the four engines will fire nonstop for over eight minutes, consuming propellant from the core stage’s two massive propellant tanks at a rate of 1,500 gallons (5,678 liters) per second.

Each SLS engine has a different serial number. The serial number for the engine installed Sept. 11 in position two on the core stage is E2059. It along with the engine in position one, E2047, previously flew on space shuttle flights. E2047 is the most veteran engine of the entire set flying on Artemis II with 15 shuttle flights, including STS-98, which delivered the Destiny Laboratory Module to the International Space Station in 2001. The engines installed in positions three and four (E2062 and E2063) are new engines that include previously flown hardware.

NASA is working to land the first woman and first person of color on the Moon under Artemis. SLS is part of NASA’s backbone for deep space exploration, along with Orion and the Gateway in orbit around the Moon, and commercial human landing systems. SLS is the only rocket that can send Orion, astronauts, and supplies to the Moon in a single mission.

For more on NASA SLS visit:

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First RS-25 Engine Installed to NASA’s Artemis II Moon Rocket – Artemis

Neues von der Artemis 1 - Mission:

Thu, 14 Sep 2023 18:02:01 +0000

Artemis

NASA is working with SpaceX to develop its Starship human landing system (HLS) for use during the Artemis III and Artemis IV missions to land American astronauts near the South Pole of the Moon. The Starship HLS will be powered by two variants of the company’s Raptor engines—one optimized to operate in atmospheric pressure at sea-level and one optimized to operate in space, or in a vacuum, where there is no atmosphere.

Last month, SpaceX demonstrated a vacuum-optimized Raptor’s performance through a test that successfully confirmed the engine can be started in the extreme cold conditions resulting from extended time in space. One challenge that differentiates Artemis missions from those in low Earth orbit is that the landers may sit in space without firing for an extended period of time, causing the temperature of the hardware to drop to a level below what they would experience on a much shorter low Earth orbit mission.

One of the first testing milestones SpaceX completed under its Artemis III contract in Nov. 2021 was also an engine test, demonstrating Raptor’s capability to perform a critical phase of landing on the Moon. In a 281-second-long test firing, Raptor demonstrated the powered descent portion of the mission, when the Starship HLS leaves its orbit over the lunar surface and begins its descent to the Moon’s surface to land. The test had two goals: to show Raptor’s ability to change the level of engine power over time, known as its throttle profile, and for the engine to burn the full length of time of the powered descent phase. The successful test provided NASA with early confidence in the company’s engine development. The 281-second throttle test demonstrated the engine’s ability to meet the demands of a descent burn to the lunar surface. Credit: SpaceX

Testing critical technologies and hardware under simulated and actual flight conditions is key for the development of Artemis Moon landers. These tests provide early and mission-like validation of the systems necessary for carrying astronauts to and from the lunar surface. Data reviews following these tests provide NASA with continually increasing confidence in U.S. industry’s readiness for the mission. SpaceX’s Raptor engines will next be put to the test during the company’s second integrated flight test of Starship and Super Heavy.

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SpaceX Completes Engine Tests for NASA’s Artemis III Moon Lander – Artemis

Neues von der Artemis 1 - Mission:

Wed, 20 Sep 2023 19:05:09 +0000

Artemis

Artemis II astronauts, from left, NASA astronaut Victor Glover (left), CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, NASA astronauts Christina Koch and Reid Wiseman stand on the crew access arm of the mobile launcher at Launch Pad 39B as part of an integrated ground systems test at Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Wednesday, Sept. 20. The test ensures the ground systems team is ready to support the crew timeline on launch day. Photo Credit: NASA/Frank Michaux

The Artemis II crew and teams with NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems Program successfully completed the first in a series of integrated ground system tests at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida in preparation for their mission around the Moon.

On Wednesday, NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, along with CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, practiced the procedures they will undergo on launch day to prepare for the ride to space.

The crew awoke at their crew quarters inside Kennedy’s Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkouts building before putting on test versions of the Orion crew survival system spacesuits they will wear on launch day. They then departed in NASA’s new Artemis crew transportation fleet to take them to Launch Pad 39B, traversing the nine-mile journey to the pad. Wiseman and Glover headed over in the first electric vehicle as Koch and Hansen followed them in the second.

Upon arrival at the pad, the crew headed onto the mobile launcher and proceeded up the tower to the white room inside the crew access arm. From this area, the astronauts will have access to enter and exit the Orion spacecraft – only for this test, there was no Orion or SLS (Space Launch System) rocket.

“When we walked out that crew access arm, I just had images of all those Apollo launches and shuttle launches that I saw as a kid and it was unreal,” Glover said. “I actually had to stop and just stay in the moment to really let it all sink in.”

Successful completion of this test ensures both the crew and the ground systems teams at Kennedy are prepared and understand the timeline of their events for launch day.  Credits: NASA

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Artemis II Astronauts Successfully Conduct Launch Day Demonstration    – Artemis

Neues von der Artemis 1 - Mission:

Mon, 25 Sep 2023 16:14:32 +0000

Artemis

Engineers and technicians from NASA, Aerojet Rocketdyne, and Boeing at NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans have installed all four RS-25 engines to the core stage for NASA’s Space Launch System rocket that will help power the first crewed Artemis mission to the Moon. The yellow core stage is seen in a horizontal position in the final assembly area at Michoud. The engines are arranged at the bottom of the rocket stage in a square pattern, like legs on a table. Photo Credit: NASA/Eric Bordelon

Teams at NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans have structurally joined all four RS-25 engines onto the core stage for NASA’s Artemis II Moon rocket. The flight test is the agency’s first crewed mission under Artemis.

Technicians added the first engine to NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket core stage Sept. 11. Teams installed the second engine onto the stage Sept. 15 with the third and fourth engines Sept. 19 and Sept. 20. Technicians with NASA, Aerojet Rocketdyne, an L3Harris Technologies company and the RS-25 engines lead contractor, along with Boeing, the core stage lead contractor, now will focus efforts on the complex task of fully securing the engines to the stage and integrating the propulsion and electrical systems within the structure.

The SLS core stage, at 212 feet, is the backbone of the Moon rocket. Its two huge propellant tanks provide more than 733,000 gallons of super-chilled liquid propellant to the four RS-25 engines, while the stage’s flight computers, avionics, and electrical systems act as the “brains” of the rocket. During Artemis II, the RS-25 engines will together provide more than 2 million pounds of thrust for eight minutes of flight, helping to send the Artemis II crew beyond low-Earth orbit to venture around the Moon.

NASA is working to land the first woman and first person of color on the Moon under Artemis. SLS is part of NASA’s backbone for deep space exploration, along with Orion and the Gateway in orbit around the Moon, and commercial human landing systems. SLS is the only rocket that can send Orion, astronauts, and supplies to the Moon in a single mission.

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All Engines Added to NASA’s Artemis II Moon Rocket Core Stage – Artemis

Neues von der Artemis 1 - Mission:

Mon, 23 Oct 2023 14:59:54 +0000

Artemis

Intergration of the crew and service modules for the Artemis II Orion spacecraft was recently completed at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo credit: NASA

On Oct.19, the Orion crew and service modules for the Artemis II mission were joined together inside the Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

After successfully completing hardware installations and testing over the past several months, engineers connected the two major components of Orion that will fly NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, along with CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen on a mission around the Moon and bring them home safely.

Now that the crew and service modules are integrated, the team will power up the combined crew and service module for the first time. After power on test are complete, Orion will begin altitude chamber testing, which will put the spacecraft through conditions as close as possible to the environment it will experience in the vacuum of deep space.

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Artemis II Orion Crew and Service Modules Joined Together – Artemis

Neues von der Artemis 1 - Mission:

Wed, 15 Nov 2023 20:24:30 +0000

Artemis

Teams with Astrobotic install the NASA meatball decal on Astrobotic’s Peregrine lunar lander on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, at the Astrotech Space Operations Facility near the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Peregrine will launch onboard a United Launch Alliance Vulcan rocket targeted for no earlier than Dec. 24, 2023, from Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The lander will carry a suite of NASA payloads to the Moon as part of the agency’s CLPS (Commercial Lunar Payload Services) initiative and Artemis program. Photo credit: NASA/Isaac Watson

Teams have installed the NASA meatball logo onboard Astrobotic’s Peregrine lunar lander as part of NASA’s CLPS (Commercial Lunar Payload Services) initiative and Artemis program ahead of its upcoming launch on Dec. 24 from Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. 

Peregrine will carry NASA payloads to a mare – an ancient hardened lava flow – outside of the Gruithuisen Domes, a geologic enigma along the mare/highlands boundary on the northeast border of Oceanus Procellarum, or Ocean of Storms, the largest dark spot on the Moon. The payloads will investigate the lunar exosphere, thermal properties of the lunar regolith, hydrogen abundances in the soil at the landing site, magnetic fields, and conduct radiation environment monitoring.

After arriving on Oct. 30 at the Astrotech Space Operations Facility near the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, teams with Astrobotic and ULA (United Launch Alliance) are finishing final preparations before they integrate Peregrine with ULA’s Vulcan rocket. 

While NASA is the primary customer purchasing lunar delivery services, CLPS vendors also work with other customers to send non-NASA payloads to the Moon. CLPS providers are responsible for managing their activities to ensure they are compliant with NASA schedule requirements. Astrobotic will keep the agency informed of the launch date, lunar landing date, and duration of lunar surface operations, as well as provide updates on the temperature the payloads will experience during transit to the Moon and at the lunar South Pole.

A successful landing will help prove the CLPS model for commercial payload deliveries to the lunar surface. As a CLPS customer, NASA is investing in lower-cost methods of regular Moon deliveries and aims to be one many customers onboard CLPS flights. The robotic deliveries will help deliver agency science and technology demonstrations to the Moon for the benefit of all.

Learn more about CLPS activities by following the Artemis blog, @NASAMoon and @NASAArtemis on Twitter, as well as the NASA Moon Facebook and Artemis Instagram accounts.

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NASA Logo Installed on Lander for First Robotic Artemis Moon Flight  – Artemis

Neues von der Artemis 1 - Mission:

Fri, 01 Dec 2023 19:17:01 +0000

Artemis

When NASA’s VIPER (short for Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover) lands on the surface of the Moon on a mission to better understand the environment where NASA plans to send astronauts as part of the increasingly complex Artemis missions, its journey will be guided by the human ingenuity of its human team – and several key tools that use artificial intelligence. From helping the science team choose a landing site at the lunar mountain Mons Mouton, to planning out its path, the VIPER team has developed and used artificial intelligence algorithms to help assess risk and optimize decision making.

Artificial intelligence is a wide field, and the resulting techniques are still far from the self-aware robots of science fiction. Instead, the field contributes tools to help space missions deal with some of the uncertainties that come with planning and executing a real-time mission in a challenging, largely unexplored environment.

“AI allows VIPER to be more adaptable, flexible, resilient, and efficient,” said Edward Balaban, VIPER’s lead for strategic planning at NASA’s Ames Research Center in California’s Silicon Valley. “It’s a tool that allows us to use change as a strength.”

These tools don’t replace human input – NASA scientists design these systems in the first place, input the relevant data, and then use the AI’s outputs as a baseline for mission-related decisions. During VIPER mission operations, the team plans to use AI interactively to help map out various routes for the operations team members to choose from. This AI system is called SHERPA – the System Health Enabled Real-time Planning Advisor.

Traversing the Lunar Surface

The VIPER mission will run for about 100 days after landing on Mons Mouton near the lunar South Pole. Throughout its journey, VIPER will make many stops at several science stations – sites selected for their potential to achieve the mission’s science objectives. These objectives include understanding the factors that control the distribution of water on the surface of the Moon, understanding the delivery history of water to the Moon, determining the origin of lunar water and other , and determining how volatiles evolve over time after they are deposited on the surface. How the rover moves from one of these sites to the other, and where it can find a safe place, referred to as a “safe haven,” to pause while temporarily out of communications with Earth — without getting stuck in an extremely cold and dark shadow — is a complex question requiring analysis of vast amounts of data. Factors such as the Moon’s rugged terrain, VIPER’s needs and limits, and the potential of the various science stations all need to be considered.

SHERPA is able to process all these factors and present the VIPER team with several options while planning the rover’s traverse before mission operations. It can assess the various risks of different routes by running thousands of mission simulations, and even provide contingency branches for where to go if something changes or doesn’t go according to plan. But after launch, SHERPA’s work won’t be over – it’ll also be used for real-time, dynamic problem solving, giving the VIPER team potential solutions to adjust the rover’s traverse when it’s presented with new scientific or operational information.

A traverse from SHERPA isn’t just a one-and-done plan. The AI will provide a template that humans consider and revise. Any changes made are then run back through SHERPA to determine if it’s feasible or if there are any issues. Those revisions won’t be corrections in the traditional sense or enacted by default, but allow team members to make adjustments based on factors the AI may not be able to consider, such as constraints related to staffing for the team members driving the rover or operating the rover science instruments.

Another set of techniques from a subfield of AI known as temporal constraint planning helps VIPER make its to-do list, by essentially presenting an algorithm with the problem of scheduling a set of activities within a certain time.

Follow us here or @NASAAmes for a follow-up post with more details about how artificial intelligence supports NASA’s VIPER mission and efforts to explore the unknown in space for the benefit of humanity.

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Part 1: Artificial Intelligence and NASA’s First Robotic Lunar Rover – Artemis

Neues von der Artemis 1 - Mission:

Thu, 14 Dec 2023 17:11:25 +0000

Artemis

In our last post, we described how VIPER, NASA’s first robotic Moon rover, is using artificial intelligence to create several options for the VIPER team to plan the rover’s path during its mission to the lunar South Pole.

Today, we’ll share more about how AI also is used to help human operators drive VIPER and create highly accurate maps of the rover’s mission area on the Moon.

Like a self-driving car, VIPER has cameras that monitor the environment around the rover and software that detects hazardous locations where it shouldn’t go. However, unlike self-driving cars, this software isn’t on board the rover; it’s back on Earth, and presents its conclusions to the rover drivers who use this information, along with many other sources, to decide how the rover should move.

One reason AI isn’t completely given the reins to the VIPER mission, is that AI techniques require a lot of training data – and this is the first time NASA will be remotely driving a robotic rover on the Moon. Using AI while always keeping humans in the loop provides a balance of risk and reward by using innovative and efficient techniques while avoiding unnecessary risk.

“VIPER is using AI as a tool; we’re not giving it the keys to the car,” said Mark Shirley, who created the original deterministic planner for VIPER at NASA’s Ames Research Center in California’s Silicon Valley. “And for this science mission, we don’t have to – the Moon is close enough that we can monitor these systems that are still learning this new environment and watch everything, like how you’d want to watch over a new driver.”

We don’t know everything about the environment of the Moon, but we do know a lot – and we can use AI to help us fill in the blanks.

Learning the Terrain

Planning routes and sensing hazards aren’t the only ways VIPER is using artificial intelligence. Other AI techniques are helping generate very high-resolution terrain maps. Most of our data about the Moon comes from LRO (Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter), including several hundred photographs of VIPER’s mission area and topographical data obtained by shooting a laser down at the lunar surface and seeing how long it took to bounce back up.

A subfield of AI, called computer vision, can determine what the local slope is at each pixel using points of altitude, images, and our knowledge of the lunar environment, including how lunar regolith reflects light, where the Sun is in relation to the Moon, what direction the camera is facing, and how bright each pixel is.

All those slopes can be combined to create a terrain model that helps the VIPER team know the shape of the lunar surface. This shape can be used to calculate how the shadows move as the sun moves, and these moving shadows inform SHERPA’s – short for the System Health Enabled Real-time Planning Advisor – route planning. It is especially important to know how the shadows move because VIPER runs on solar power. Being stuck in a shadow for too long could be deadly for the rover.

All these pieces fit together. The high-resolution terrain maps created from LRO data generate maps of moving shadows, which SHERPA accounts for planning VIPER’s route. Temporal constraint techniques help mesh activities on the ground with activities on board the rover. Finally, the hazards pointed out automatically from the rover’s camera images help the VIPER team navigate the minute-to-minute decisions that come up while exploring another world.

As AI continues to develop as a field, many of its methods will end up becoming part of the regular toolkit for engineers and scientists. VIPER uses some of the current well-trodden techniques, while also pushing the boundaries of AI’s applications. In the case of SHERPA, the cutting-edge techniques come from a subfield of AI called decision making under uncertainty. This will be the first time these techniques are used on a space mission, and if successful, could open the door to similar AI approaches being deployed on other missions to worlds beyond our own.

Follow us @NASAAmes for more details about how artificial intelligence supports NASA’s VIPER mission and efforts to explore the unknown in space for the benefit of humanity.

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Part 2: Artificial Intelligence and NASA’s First Robotic Lunar Rover – Artemis

Neues von der Artemis 1 - Mission:

Thu, 04 Jan 2024 15:00:36 +0000

Artemis

Ahead of launch as part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative, Astrobotic’s Peregrine lunar lander is preparing to be encapsulated in the payload fairing, or nose cone, of United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket on Nov. 21, 2023, at Astrotech Space Operations Facility near the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Launch of Astrobotic’s Peregrine Mission One will carry NASA and commercial payloads to the Moon in early 2024 to study the lunar exosphere, thermal properties, and hydrogen abundance of the lunar regolith, magnetic fields, and the radiation environment of the lunar surface. Photo credit: United Launch Alliance

Beginning at 11 a.m. EST today, tune in to NASA TV or the agency’s website for NASA’s lunar science media teleconference, which will highlight the NASA payloads flying on Astrobotic’s Peregrine lander to the Moon as part of the agency’s CLPS (Commercial Lunar Payload Services) initiative and Artemis program.

Participants include:

• Chris Culbert, Program Manager, NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services
• Niki Werkheiser, director, Technology Maturation, Space Technology Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters
• Paul Niles, CLPS project scientist, NASA’s Johnson Space Center
• Nic Stoffle, science and operations lead for Linear Energy Transfer Spectrometer, NASA Johnson
• Tony Colaprete, principal investigator, Near-Infrared Volatile Spectrometer System, NASA’s Ames Research Center
• Richard Elphic, principal investigator, Neutron Spectrometer System, NASA’s Ames Research Center
• Barbara Cohen, principal investigator, Peregrine Ion-Trap Mass Spectrometer, NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center
• Daniel Cremons, deputy principal investigator for Laser Retroreflector Array, NASA Goddard

Then at 3 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 5, there will be a lunar delivery readiness media teleconference to confirm all payloads are go for launch.

Participants include: 

• Joel Kearns, deputy associate administrator for Exploration, Science Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters
• Ryan Watkins, program scientist, Exploration Science Strategy and Integration Office, NASA Headquarters
• John Thornton, CEO, Astrobotic
• Gary Wentz, vice president, Government and Commercial Programs, ULA
• Melody Lovin, launch weather officer, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s 45th Weather Squadron

United Launch Alliance is scheduled to launch its Vulcan rocket and Astrobotic’s Peregrine lander at 2:18 a.m. EST Jan. 8 from Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

Peregrine is targeting landing on the Moon on Feb. 23, 2024. The NASA payloads aboard the lander aim to help the agency develop capabilities needed to explore the Moon under Artemis and in advance of human missions on the lunar surface. Peregrine will land on a mare – an ancient hardened lava flow – outside of the Gruithuisen Domes, a geologic enigma along the mare/highlands boundary on the northeast border of Oceanus Procellarum, or Ocean of Storms, the largest dark spot on the Moon. The payloads will investigate the lunar exosphere, thermal properties of the lunar regolith, hydrogen abundances in the soil at the landing site, magnetic fields, and conduct radiation environment monitoring.

To learn more about some of the scientific research and technology demonstrations flying to the Moon as part of the CLPS initiative visit https://www.nasa.gov/clps

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Tune in to This Week’s Prelaunch Events for First Robotic Artemis Moon Flight  – Artemis

Neues von der Artemis 1 - Mission:

Mon, 08 Jan 2024 06:30:09 +0000

Artemis

On Friday, Jan. 5, 2024, United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket carrying Astrobotic’s Peregrine lunar lander is rolled out of the Vertical Integration Facility to the launch pad at Space Launch Complex 41 on Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida in advance of a planned lift off at 2:18 a.m. EST Monday, Jan. 8, 2024. Astrobotic’s Peregrine Mission One will carry NASA and commercial payloads to the Moon to study the lunar exosphere, thermal properties, and hydrogen abundance of the lunar regolith, magnetic fields, and the radiation environment of the lunar surface. Photo credit: NASA/Cory Huston

United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket stands ready for a 2:18 a.m. EST liftoff from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s Launch Complex 41. Watch now on NASA+, NASA TV or the agency’s website.

Onboard Vulcan is Astrobotic’s Peregrine lander, which is carrying NASA scientific instruments and other commercial payloads to the Moon as part of the agency’s CLPS (Commercial Lunar Payload Services) initiative and Artemis program. The payloads onboard the lander aim to help the agency develop capabilities needed to explore the Moon under Artemis and in advance of human missions on the lunar surface. 

Weather officials with Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s 45th Weather Squadron are predicting a 85% chance of favorable weather conditions for launch, with the primary weather concerns revolving around thick cloud coverage.  

Here’s a look at the ascent milestones following liftoff. All times are approximate:

LAUNCH, SEPARATION, AND POWER ON

Hr/Min/Sec        Event

00:00:00     Vulcan liftoff
00:01:16     Max Q (moment of peak mechanical stress on the rocket)
00:01:50 Solid rocket booster jettison
00:04:59 Booster Engine Cutoff (BECO)
00:05:05 Booster/Centaur separation
00:05:15 Centaur main engine start (MES-1)
00:05:23 Payload fairing jettison
00:15:45     1st stage main engine cutoff (MECO-1)
00:43:35     2nd stage engine starts (MES-2)
00:47:37     2nd stage engine cutoff (MECO-2)
00:50:26     Peregrine separates from Vulcan
00:58:27 Peregrine powers on
01:18:23 Centaur third main engine start (MES-3)
01:18:43 Centaur third main engine cutoff (MECO-3)

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Live Countdown Coverage Begins for First Robotic Artemis Moon Flight  – Artemis

Neues von der Artemis 1 - Mission:

Mon, 08 Jan 2024 07:21:45 +0000

Artemis

At 2:18 a.m. EST, United Launch Alliance launched its Vulcan rocket and Astrobotic’s Peregrine lander from Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. 

Onboard Peregrine are a suite of NASA scientific instruments and commercial payloads to the Moon as part of the agency’s CLPS (Commercial Lunar Payload Services) initiative and Artemis program. The payloads onboard the lander aim to help the agency develop capabilities needed to explore the Moon under Artemis and in advance of human missions on the lunar surface. 

The next major milestone for Peregrine will be separation from Vulcan, which is expected to occur in approximately 50 minutes or around 3:09 a.m. EST. Following this, Peregrine will power on, commencing its journey to the lunar surface. 

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Liftoff of ULA Vulcan Rocket! NASA Science Begins Journey to Moon on Astrobotic Robotic Lander   – Artemis

Neues von der Artemis 1 - Mission:

Mon, 08 Jan 2024 08:09:37 +0000

Artemis

At approximately 3:09 a.m. EST, Astrobotic’s Peregrine lander separated from United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket. Onboard Peregrine are NASA scientific instruments and other commercial payloads to the Moon as part of the agency’s CLPS (Commercial Lunar Payload Services) initiative and Artemis program. Coming up, Peregrine will power up and begin its journey to the Moon.

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Astrobotic Lander Carrying NASA Instruments Separates from ULA Vulcan Rocket  – Artemis

Neues von der Artemis 1 - Mission:

Mon, 08 Jan 2024 08:17:49 +0000

Artemis

Astrobotic’s Peregrine lander successfully powered on and is now on its way to the Moon, carrying NASA science as part of the agency’s CLPS (Commercial Lunar Payload Services) initiative and Artemis program. 

Peregrine is expected to land on the lunar surface on Feb. 23 and, throughout the approximate 10-day mission, the agency’s scientific instruments will study the lunar exosphere, thermal properties of the lunar regolith, hydrogen abundances in the soil at the landing site, magnetic fields, and conduct radiation environment monitoring.  

This concludes our live launch coverage. Continue to follow along for more CLPS updates: nasa.gov/clps.  

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Moon Bound! NASA Science Heads to Moon on Astrobotic Robotic Lander   – Artemis

Neues von der Artemis 1 - Mission:

Mon, 08 Jan 2024 17:21:34 +0000

Artemis

Carrying NASA science planned for the Moon, United Launch Alliance successfully launched its Vulcan rocket and Astrobotic’s lunar lander early this morning. Astrobotic’s Peregrine lander experienced a propulsion issue after the spacecraft entered its operational state. This prevented Astrobotic from achieving sun-pointing orientation. The company is assessing and will provide more information as soon as it is available.

“Each success and setback are opportunities to learn and grow,” said Joel Kearns, deputy associate administrator for exploration at NASA’s Science Mission Directorate in Washington. “We will use this lesson to propel our efforts to advance science, exploration, and commercial development of the Moon.”

Below are the two updates from Astrobotic so far:

 https://x.com/astrobotic/status/1744367789953933641?s=20

Astrobotic (@astrobotic) on X

Update #2 on Peregrine Mission One:

x.com

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Astrobotic Experiences Issue Aboard First NASA CLPS Robotic Flight to the Moon – Artemis

Neues von der Artemis 1 - Mission:

Mon, 08 Jan 2024 21:12:40 +0000

Artemis

NASA is working with Astrobotic to determine impact to the agency’s five science investigations aboard the company’s Peregrine Mission One spacecraft. Earlier today, Peregrine became the first American commercial lunar lander to launch on a Mission to the Moon. Soon after spacecraft separation, Peregrine experienced a propulsion issue. The privately designed and developed spacecraft uses novel, industry-developed technology, some of which has never flown in space. While it’s too soon to understand the root cause, NASA is supporting Astrobotic, and will assist in reviewing flight data, identifying the cause, and developing a plan forward.

“There are many challenges with spaceflight, and we’re incredibly proud of the Astrobotic and NASA teams that have put us one step closer to a robotic return to the lunar surface as part of Artemis. This delivery service model is a first for the agency and with something new, there is a higher risk,” said Joel Kearns, deputy associate administrator for exploration at NASA’s Science Mission Directorate. “NASA is committed to supporting our commercial vendors as they navigate the very difficult task of sending science and technology to the surface of the Moon.”

Copies of four of the NASA payloads aboard Peregrine are expected to fly on future flights including the Laser Retroreflector Array, Near-Infrared Volatile Spectrometer System, Neutron Spectrometer System, and Linear Energy Transfer Spectrometer. The Peregrine Ion-Trap Mass Spectrometer is not currently on a future CLPS flight.

Additional updates will be shared as the situation develops.

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Payload Assessments Continue for NASA Science Aboard Peregrine Mission One – Artemis

Neues von der Artemis 1 - Mission:

Tue, 09 Jan 2024 18:09:40 +0000

Artemis

NASA will hold a media teleconference today at 1:30 p.m. EST to provide an update on the agency’s lunar exploration plans for the benefit of all under Artemis.

Audio of the briefing will stream live on NASA’s website.

In addition to NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, agency participants will include:

• • NASA Associate Administrator Jim Free
  • Catherine Koerner, associate administrator, Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate
  • Amit Kshatriya, deputy associate administrator, Moon to Mars Program, Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate

The following partner representatives also will be available to answer questions during the call:

• • Mike Lauer, RS-25 Program director, Aerojet Rocketdyne
  • Russell Ralston, vice president and Extravehicular Activity Program manager, Axiom Space
  • Dave Leeth, mobile launcher 2 deputy project manager and principal vice president, Bechtel
  • John Couluris, senior vice president of lunar permanence and Human Landing System Program manager, Blue Origin
  • Dave Dutcher, vice president and Space Launch System Program manager, Boeing
  • Peggy Guirgis, general manager, Space Systems, Collins Aerospace
  • Lorna Kenna, vice president and Consolidated Operations, Management, Engineering and Test Program manager, Jacobs
  • Tonya Ladwig, vice president human space exploration and Orion Program manager, Lockheed Martin
  • Chris Coker, vice president for civil programs, Maxar
  • Mark Pond, senior director of NASA programs, Northrop Grumman
  • Jessica Jensen, vice president of customer operations and integration, SpaceX
  • Daniel Neuenschwander, director of human and robotic exploration, ESA (European Space Agency)

Through Artemis, the agency will establish a long-term presence at the Moon for scientific exploration with our commercial and international partners, learn how to live and work away from home, and prepare for future human exploration of the Red Planet. The SLS (Space Launch System), exploration ground systems, and NASA’s Orion spacecraft, along with the human landing system, next-generation spacesuits, the lunar space station, Gateway, and future rovers are NASA’s foundation for deep space exploration.

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Tune in to Hear NASA Discuss Artemis Moon Mission Plans – Artemis

Neues von der Artemis 1 - Mission:

Thu, 11 Jan 2024 15:01:37 +0000

Artemis

NASA’s CLPS (Commercial Lunar Payload Services) initiative aims to deliver science and technology to the Moon to advance our capabilities in lunar exploration. Shortly after launch, Astrobotic’s Peregrine lander experienced a failure in the propulsion system, causing a critical loss of propellent. Astrobotic announced due to the failure, Peregrine will not achieve a soft lunar landing for this mission. Efforts by the Astrobotic team have recovered the spacecraft and allowed Peregrine to remain operationally stable collecting data about the interplanetary environment. All NASA payloads that can power on have received power and are effectively gathering data, although interpreting the results will require some time.

Both Astrobotic and NASA are taking advantage of this flight time by extending the science of Peregrine’s Mission One into cislunar space. NASA payloads including, NSS (Neutron Spectrometer System), LETS (Linear Energy Transfer Spectrometer), PITMS (Peregrine Ion Trap Mass Spectrometer), and NIRVSS (Near Infrared Volatile Spectrometer System) have successfully powered on while the spacecraft has been operationally stable. Since the LRA (Laser Retroreflector Array) instrument is a passive experiment that can only be conducted on the lunar surface, it cannot conduct any operations in transit.

A novel NASA space technology guidance and navigation sensor, which Astrobotic incorporated as a Peregrine lander component, NDL (Navigation Doppler Lidar), has also been successfully powered on.

“Measurements and operations of the NASA-provided science instruments on board will provide valuable experience, technical knowledge, and scientific data to future CLPS lunar deliveries,” said Joel Kearns, deputy associate administrator for exploration with NASA’s Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington. 

Some of the NASA provided payloads aboard Peregrine were already scheduled for future lunar flights. The team is taking this opportunity to collect as much science data as possible and to further characterize the performance and functionality of the science instruments while the spacecraft follows its current trajectory. Astrobotic is striving to extend Peregrine’s mission, allowing for additional data collection for NASA’s and other customers’ payloads. 

Two of the payloads, NSS and LETS, are making measurements of the radiation environment in interplanetary space around the Earth and the Moon. The two instruments are measuring different components of the radiation spectrum, which provide complementary insights into the galactic cosmic ray activity and space weather resulting from solar activity. This data helps characterize the interplanetary radiation environment for humans and electronics.

Additional updates will be shared as they become available. 

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NASA Science, Data Collection Ongoing Aboard Peregrine Mission One   – Artemis

Neues von der Artemis 1 - Mission:

Mon, 15 Jan 2024 01:00:50 +0000

Artemis

The following NASA statement is attributed to Dr. Nicola Fox, associate administrator, Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington:

As part of NASA’s CLPS (Commercial Lunar Payload Services) initiative, Astrobotic’s Peregrine became the first American commercial lunar lander to launch on a mission to the Moon. Under the Artemis campaign, NASA is supporting exploration through the development of a lunar economy fostering a new commercial robotic delivery service carrying NASA science and technology instruments to the Moon in advance of future missions with crew. The privately designed and developed Peregrine robotic spacecraft uses novel, industry-developed technology, some of which has never flown in space. Shortly after a successful launch and separation from the rocket on Jan. 8, the spacecraft experienced a propulsion issue that would ultimately prevent it from softly landing on the Moon.

Astrobotic said on its current trajectory, Peregrine will re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere on Thursday, Jan. 18, and is likely to burn up. Astrobotic worked with NASA’s assistance to assess the most appropriate action, and this is the best approach to safely and responsibly conclude Peregrine Mission One.

While it’s too soon to understand the root cause of the propulsion incident, NASA continues to support Astrobotic, and will assist in reviewing flight data, identifying the cause, and developing a plan forward for the company’s future CLPS and commercial flights.

Spaceflight is an unforgiving environment, and we commend Astrobotic for its perseverance and making every viable effort to collect data and show its capabilities of Peregrine while in flight. Together, we will use the lessons learned to advance CLPS.

Additional updates can be found on Astrobotic’s platforms.

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With NASA Science Aboard, Astrobotic’s Mission Continues to Evolve – Artemis

Neues von der Artemis 1 - Mission:

Thu, 18 Jan 2024 20:52:09 +0000

Artemis

Astrobotic’s Peregrine lunar lander continues on a trajectory toward Earth and is expected to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere on Thursday, Jan. 18.

To ensure a controlled, safe re-entry, Astrobotic in coordination with NASA and other government agencies, changed the spacecraft’s projected re-entry location to a remote area of the South Pacific. No ground hazards are anticipated.

Astrobotic evaluated several options with NASA consultation to end the mission safely and determined that the best approach for minimizing risk and ensuring responsible disposal of the spacecraft would be Peregrine’s re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere, likely causing the spacecraft to burn up.

After Astrobotic confirmed that Astrobotic’s Peregrine Mission One would not be a soft-landing on the Moon, NASA science teams adjusted their procedures to collect data in cislunar space. All NASA payloads designed to power on have received power and collected data including, the Linear Energy Transfer Sectrometer (LETS), Near-Infrared Volatile Spectrometer System (NIRVSS), Neutron Spectrometer System (NSS), and the Peregrine Ion-Trap Mass Spectrometer (PITMS) . Since the LRA (Laser Retroreflector Array) instrument is a passive experiment designed for the lunar surface, it cannot conduct any operations in transit.

Although interpreting the results will require some time, preliminary data suggests that the instruments have collected measurements of the radiation environment and chemical compounds in the lander vicinity, a positive sign that the instruments survived the harsh conditions of space and are functioning as expected.

NSS and LETS gathered measurements of the radiation environment in interplanetary space around Earth and the Moon. The two instruments collected different components of the radiation spectrum, providing complementary insights into the galactic cosmic ray activity and space weather resulting from solar activity.

PITMS operations were successful, and the team was able to acquire multiple mass spectra both before and after opening the instrument’s protective dust cover. The data confirm that PITMS was in good health and that the instrument could provide useful measurements of lunar volatile compounds on future missions. PITMS is a partnership between NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, The Open University, RAL Space, and the European Space Agency.

NIRVSS also successfully powered on and collected images, spectra, and additional data around the lander. A variety of chemical compounds were detected in the NIRVSS spectra, which the team currently attributes to lander outgassing and leaked fuel. The team also refined their process for capturing spectra, or intensity of light being emitted, and images while at low data rates. Some of this work validated data processing methods, tools, and operational procedures, all of which will improve NASA’s ability to map the lunar surface in the future.

Astrobotic will host a media telecon at 1:00 p.m. EST, Friday, Jan. 19, to provide an end of mission update.

Additional updates can be found on Astrobotic’s platforms.

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NASA’s First CLPS Flight, Astrobotic Peregrine Mission One – Artemis

Neues von der Artemis 1 - Mission:

Mon, 29 Jan 2024 15:00:42 +0000

Artemis

Credits: NASA

Teams with NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems Program have completed the next series of integrated ground systems testing at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. On Jan. 25, the high-speed film and high-speed digital cameras on the mobile launcher and Launch Pad 39B were successfully tested at the spaceport ahead of the Artemis II mission. 

Following Artemis I, teams updated the 68 high-speed cameras, which start during the final 12 seconds of the countdown to provide views of the rocket and surrounding ground structures during launch. The imagery also is used in detailed post-launch analysis.  

The updates on the cameras include:  

• Software and procedures to ensure proper field of view of the rocket and spacecraft. 
• High-speed digital camera firmware and digital recorder software to improve visual video quality. 
• Optical control system software to ensure accurate setup.
• Upgraded faceplate purge hardware – a small tool near the camera lens that releases small amounts of gaseous nitrogen to remove any water that falls on the lenses.   

During a water flow test to check the sound suppression system at the pad, teams tested these cameras by setting them up in a launch countdown configuration. The test verifies the cameras’ field of view and the upgraded faceplate purge hardware all function properly. In September 2023, teams at Kennedy and at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama also tested the cameras during a hot fire test of the upgraded solid rocket booster design for the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket for future Artemis missions.  

Personnel at Kennedy next will test the dynamic range of the cameras during a nighttime commercial rocket launch from a nearby launch site. Following each operation, teams will analyze the footage to ensure each camera performed as expected.

Siehe auch die Originalnachricht:

NASA Kennedy Teams Test High-Speed Cameras for Artemis II Mission  – Artemis

Neues von der Artemis 1 - Mission:

Mon, 12 Feb 2024 15:00:32 +0000

Artemis

Beginning at 11 a.m. EST today, tune in to NASA TV or the agency’s website for NASA’s lunar science media teleconference, which will highlight the NASA payloads flying on Intuitive Machines’ Nova-C lander to the Moon as part of the agency’s CLPS (Commercial Lunar Payload Services) initiative and Artemis campaign.

Participants include:

• Susan Lederer, CLPS project scientist, NASA Johnson
• Farzin Amzajerdian, principal investigator, Navigation Doppler Lidar, NASA Langley
• Tamara Statham, co-principal investigator, Lunar Node 1, NASA Marshall
• Daniel Cremons, deputy principal investigator, Laser Retro-Reflector Array, NASA Goddard
• Nat Gopalswamy, principal investigator, Radio Observations of the Lunar Surface Photoelectron Sheath, NASA Goddard
• Michelle Munk, principal investigator, Stereo Camera for Lunar Plume-Surface Studies, NASA Langley
• Lauren Ameen, deputy project manager, Radio Frequency Mass Gauge, NASA Glenn

Then at 1:30 p.m. EST tomorrow, there will be a lunar delivery readiness media teleconference to confirm all NASA payloads are go for launch.

Participants include:

• Joel Kearns, deputy associate administrator for Exploration, Science Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters
• Debra Needham, program scientist, Exploration Science Strategy and Integration Office, NASA Headquarters
• Trent Martin, Vice President of Space Systems, Intuitive Machines
• William Gerstenmaier, VP, Build and Flight Reliability, SpaceX
• Arlena Moses, launch weather officer, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s 45th Weather Squadron

SpaceX is scheduled to launch its Falcon 9 rocket and Intuitive Machines’ Nova-C lander at 12:57 a.m. EST Wednesday, Feb. 14 from Launch Complex 39A at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Intuitive Machines is targeting landing on the Moon on Thursday, Feb. 22. The company’s Nova-C lander will carry NASA science instruments focusing on plume-surface interactions, space weather/lunar surface interactions, radio astronomy, precision landing technologies, and a communication and navigation node for future autonomous navigation technologies.

To learn more about some of the scientific research and technology demonstrations flying to the Moon as part of the CLPS initiative visit https://www.nasa.gov/clps

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Tune Into NASA Prelaunch Events for Intuitive Machines’ First Mission to the Moon – Artemis

Neues von der Artemis 1 - Mission:

Wed, 14 Feb 2024 04:43:34 +0000

Artemis

The launch of Intuitive Machines’ IM-1 mission on board SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A in Florida was postponed Tuesday, Feb. 13, due to improper methane temperatures prior to stepping into methane load. SpaceX and Intuitive Machines are now targeting 1:05 a.m. EST Thursday, Feb. 15. Additional updates can be found on Intuitive Machines and SpaceX platforms.

NASA’s live broadcast will begin at 12:20 a.m. EST on Feb. 15. Watch on NASA+, NASA TV, and the agency’s website.

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Carrying NASA Science, Intuitive Machines, SpaceX Move Moon Mission – Artemis

Neues von der Artemis 1 - Mission:

Thu, 15 Feb 2024 05:23:44 +0000

Artemis

Carrying NASA science to the Moon as part of the agency’s CLPS (Commercial Lunar Payload Services) initiative, a SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket stands ready for a 1:05 a.m. EST liftoff from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Watch now on NASA+, NASA TV, and the agency’s website.

Onboard Falcon 9 is Intuitive Machines’ Nova-C lander, which holds six NASA scientific instruments and technology demonstrations, along with other commercial payloads. This is the first CLPS flight for Intuitive Machines, which is part of the Artemis campaign.

Weather officials with Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s 45th Weather Squadron predict a 90% chance of favorable weather conditions for launch, with the primary weather concerns revolving around thick cloud coverage.

Here’s a look at the remaining of SpaceX’s countdown and ascent milestones. All times are approximate:

Countdown
Hour/Minute/Second               Event

00:38:00 SpaceX launch director verifies go for propellant load
00:35:00 Rocket grade kerosene loading begins
00:35:00 1st stage liquid oxygen loading begins
00:16:00 2nd stage liquid oxygen loading begins
00:07:00 Falcon 9 begins pre-launch engine chill
00:01:00 Command flight computer to begin final prelaunch checks
00:01:00 Propellant tanks pressurize for flight
00:00:45 SpaceX launch director verifies go for launch
00:00:03 Command for engine ignition sequence to start
00:00:00 Falcon 9 liftoff

Launch, Landing, and Separation
Hour/Minute/Second               Event

00:01:12 Max Q (moment of peak mechanical stress on the rocket)
00:02:14 1st stage main engine cutoff
00:02:17 1st and 2nd stages separate
00:02:25 2nd stage engine starts
00:02:30 Boostback burn starts
00:03:06 Fairing deployment
00:03:27 Boostback burn ends
00:06:11 1st stage entry burn begins
00:06:22 1st stage entry burn ends
00:07:17 1st stage landing burn start
00:07:34 1st stage landing
00:07:46 2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO-1)
00:41:40 2nd stage engine starts (SES-2)
00:42:33 2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO-2)
00:48:24 Nova-C separates from 2nd stage

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NASA Science Aboard Intuitive Machines Mission for Moon, Watch Now – Artemis

Neues von der Artemis 1 - Mission:

Thu, 15 Feb 2024 06:13:01 +0000

Artemis

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying Intuitive Machines’ Nova-C lunar lander lifts off from Launch Pad 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 1:05 a.m. EST on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024. As part of NASA’s CLPS (Commercial Lunar Payload Services) initiative and Artemis campaign, Intuitive Machines’ first lunar mission will carry NASA science and commercial payloads to the Moon to study plume-surface interactions, space weather/lunar surface interactions, radio astronomy, precision landing technologies, and a communication and navigation node for future autonomous navigation technologies. Photo credit: Mike Chambers

At 1:05 a.m. EST SpaceX’s Falcon 9 launched the Intuitive Machines Nova-C lander from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Onboard the lander is a suite of NASA scientific instruments and technology demonstrations, as well as commercial payloads, heading to the surface of the Moon. The NASA payloads onboard the lander aim to help the agency develop capabilities needed to explore the Moon under Artemis and in advance of human missions on the lunar surface. Intuitive Machines was selected for this delivery as part of the agency’s CLPS (Commercial Lunar Payload Services) initiative and Artemis campaign

The next major milestone will be when Nova-C separates from the rocket’s second stage, which is expected to occur in approximately 48 minutes or around 1:53 a.m. EST.

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Liftoff! Intuitive Machines Lander Carrying NASA Science Begins Journey to the Moon – Artemis

Neues von der Artemis 1 - Mission:

Thu, 15 Feb 2024 06:54:19 +0000

Artemis

At approximately 1:53 a.m. EST, the Intuitive Machines’ Nova-C lander successfully deployed from SpaceX’s Falcon 9 second stage.

Onboard the lander are NASA scientific instruments and technology demonstrations, as well as other commercial payloads, heading to the Moon. Intuitive Machines was selected for this delivery as part of the agency’s CLPS (Commercial Lunar Payload Services) initiative and Artemis campaign. Coming up, Nova-C will power on and begin its journey to the lunar surface.

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Intuitive Machines Moon Lander Successfully Deploys – Artemis